The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-12-24

summons, 'Who shtands there?" and lis
tened breathlessly. Noresponse. who's
dhere, / say?p Dead silence. Not even
scurrying footsteps. She crept to the win
dow and peered out. No one near. She
raised the sash, threw open a shutter, and
gazed abroad The little piazza was de-
serted, unless both were hiding inside the
storm-house. MOI See! Over among the
willows by the stream there are shadowy
figures and a sleigh.
"They've gone, Malloyl They are up
the river bank with a sleighl' she called.
And then she heard him furiously unbar
ring the parlor door preparatory to rush.
She heard it swing open, an impetuous
sally, collision, crash, the chatter of a
dropped carbine against the resounding
woodwork, complication of anathemas
and objurgations from the dark interior,
and then a dialogue in choice Hibernian.
care ye hurried, Terence?"
II am. Bad scran to the blagyards that
left their trunk behind emf
Trunk what thrunk? She bore light
into the parlor, and revealed Malloy, with
rueful yisage, doubled up over big wood
en- box planted squarely in the doorway.
Robbers, indeed Mrs Bridget whisked
him ont of the way, ran and closed the
childrens door, and in another moment
had lugged the big box into the parlor,
and wrenched away the top. The two
women were on their knees before it in an
instant
First they dragged forth great fiat pa
per box, damp and cool and moist, and
this the widow opened tremblingly. A
fiat layer of white cotton, dry; then paper;
fiat layer of white cotton, moist; and
then, peepl Upon the fresh, green coils of
smilax, rich with fragance, sweet, moist,
dewy, exquisite, lay store upon store of
the choicest howers-rose buds and rose
blossoms in cream and yellow and pink and
crimson, CARNATIONS, in white and red,
heilotrope and hyacinth, and fairest pan
sizes, and modest little violets, and gorgeous
tulips, even great callas-the first flowers
she had seen in years. Oh, Captain Santa
Claus! who taught you Christmas wooingl
Where learned you such art as this? Be-
meath the box was yet another, bearing the
stamp of the great Chicago firm, sealed,
corded, just as he had got it from the agent
that evening-Phil's longed for suit. She
Rugged it with delight, while tears started
to her dancing eyes. How good he wasl
How thoughtful for her and her little onesl
There, beneath, was the very white doll
carriage, blue lining, umbrella top, and all
wherein reposed wondrous wax doll, the
like of which Maud had never dreamed.
There was tin kitchen with innumerable
appendages. There was a glistening pair
of club skates of finest steel and latest
patent, the very thing that Phil so longed
for, and had SO lovingly resigned. There
were fur cap and gloves and boots for him,
and such an elegant shawl for Mrs. Nal
10y! He could send them all he chose
and no offence. But to heron her he
could lavish only flowers.
And then her Irish allies returned to
their slumbers, and left her to the rapture
of arranging the. new presents and the
contemplation of her flowers; and she was
hugging the big pasteboard box and gloat-
ing over her treasures when there was
sudden noise without, rush up the steps,
and before she could drop her possessions
the door few open, and in came Wild
eyed, breathless captain of cavalry, gasping
the apparently unwarrantable query,
"What's the matter?
For an instant she stared at him in as
constituent. Holding tight her flowers,
she gazed at his agitated face. 'Nothing,"
she answered. elbow could anything be
wrong when you have been $3.50"
But words failed her.
'Whyl your red lights burningl' he
explained.
II declare! 1 forgot all about it!''
Then another silence. He threw him.
self back in an arm chair, breathing hard,
and striving to recover his composure.
''Do you mean-didn't you mean to sig
nal for help2" he finally asked.
eyes, l did''-an arch aud mischievous
smile now frightening her face. "When
| swung it wanted you to come quick and
drive-yourself away"
Then she put down her box, and stepped
impulsively toward him, two white hands
outstretched, tears starting from her eyes
the color surging to her lovely face
"Where can I find words to thank you,
Captain Santa Claus?
He rose quickly, his face flushed and
eager, his strong hands trembling.
"Shall / tell yau?" he asked.
Her head was dropping now; her eyes
could not meet the fervent love and long
ing in his; her bosom heaved with every
breath. She could only stand and tremble
when he seized her hands.
skate, will you take back what you said
to day?"
She stole one glance into his passionate,
pleading eyes, and her head dropped lower.
"Cdn't you take ii back, Kate?'
A moments pause. At last the answer.
"How can !, unless-unless you take back
what you-what caused it?"
Never before had the little Cartoons
walked to such a radiant Christmas morn
ing. Never had the Forties known so
royal Christmas tree. Never before was